For parents, educators, pediatricians, and mental health professionals. Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, and more, Meltdown is the fictional story of Benjamin, a boy diagnosed with Asperger's disorder and additional challenging behavior. From the time Benjamin is a toddler, his parents know he is different: he doesn't play with his sister, refuses to make eye contact, and doesn't seem to understand how to communicate with others. And his tantrums are not like normal tantrums; they're violent meltdowns that will eventually make...

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and more, Mr. Incredible is the fictional story of Adam, a boy diagnosed with autistic disorder. On Adam's first birthday, his mother recognizes that something is different about him: he recoils from the touch of his family, preferring to accept physical contact only in the cool water of the family's pool. As Adam gets older, he avoids eye contact, is largely nonverbal, and has very specific ways of getting through the day; when those habits are...

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, therapists, and more, Alina's Story shows the journey of Alina, a little girl adopted from Russia. After living in an orphanage during her early life, Alina is confused and scared by the outside world. There are so many people, so much noise . . . Her new family loves her, but Alina finds it hard to trust them. What if they hurt her? Or go away and leave her alone? It is hard for Alina to talk about her feelings, so when she is upset or worried, she throws big tantrums that scare her family....

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, and more, Melting Down is the illustrated fictional story of Benjamin, a boy diagnosed with Asperger's disorder and additional challenging behavior. From the time Benjamin is a toddler, he knows he is different: he doesn't understand social and emotional cues, does not know how to play with his sister or other children, and dislikes making eye contact. And his tantrums are not like normal tantrums; they're meltdowns that will eventually make regular schooling-and day-to-day life-impossible....

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, therapists, and more, An Unlikely Trust is the fictional story of Alina, a young girl adopted from Russia. After a lengthy adoption process, Alina's parents are confounded by their daughter's behavior upon arriving in America. They were aware that she did not speak English and expected some developmental delay, but they did not foresee that the tiny four-year-old would hoard her food, deeply mistrust affection from others, and fail to initiate or respond to most social situations. Most...

When four-year-old Chloe Ramsey loses her mother to a drug overdose, her aunt and uncle immediately step in to adopt her. Tamara and Darryl have been fighting for custody of Chloe for years, and while they're devastated by her mother's death, they are thrilled to finally give Chloe the love and security she deserves. But years of neglect have taken their toll: Chloe is hyperactive and distractible, and-most troubling of all-she can't seem to tell the difference between her new parents and any other adult she encounters. She is indiscriminately friendly and trusting, often wandering away...

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, and speech and occupational therapists, Incredible Adam is the illustrated fictional story of Adam, a boy diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The story follows a social narrative format to depict a typical day in Adam's life within his therapeutic residential school. From the time Adam wakes to the hour he sleeps again, his day presents him with successes to experience and challenges to overcome. With the support of his caregivers and family, he is able to use tools he's learned to help...

Nearly one third of all school children are bullied each year. That's more than thirteen million kids who face physical, verbal, cyber, and social bullying on a regular basis. For years, educators and parents have searched for ways to end bullying, but as that behavior becomes more sophisticated, it's harder to recognize and to stop. In Classroom Heroes, Jason is a quiet, socially awkward seventh grade boy who has long suffered bullying in silence. Zaria is a teacher who understands that in order to effectively stop bullying, we have to change the mindset. We have to enlist not...

Everyone has good days and bad days-but for seventeen-year-old Alex Magana, the shifts between despair and elation are dramatic, and they impact every area of his life. For years, Alex has been misdiagnosed with depression. In fact, he has bipolar disorder, and the correct diagnosis is only the beginning of his journey. Along with his parents, Alex must navigate the complex physical and emotional effects of using psychotropic medication, eventually discovering that medication is only one component of a lifelong comprehensive treatment plan. Based on dozens of intensive interviews with...

When Max was four, he was diagnosed with PDD-NOS-pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified. Diana and Aaron, his parents, thought the news couldn't get any worse. But six years later, Max was re-diagnosed with autism. He is low functioning, barely verbal, and when he becomes frustrated or overwhelmed-which happens often-he hurts himself or others. Now, at twelve, Max is nearly Diana's size, and much larger than his two younger brothers. Diana and Aaron have a difficult choice to make: do they continue treating Max with vitamins, supplements, and diet, avoiding the potential...